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Frequently Asked Questions

Lifetime Product FAQ's

1-800-225-3865

Originally, the term "FAQ" referred to "Frequently Answered Questions" and listed answers that had previously been offered by customer support representatives. Whether they're frequently asked, or frequently answered, we're here to help you with anything you need!

The holes in our systems are created a specific size, made with precision, to prevent excess play in those specific areas. We coat our product with a very durable and heavy powder coating that, at times, may be applied too thick around bolt holes. If this has occurred with your basketball system, you may experience difficulty with inserting the bolts through the holes without using some force. A bolt not fitting through a hole is resolved by starting the bolt through the hole and rocking the bolt aggressively at an angle in a circular motion to ream out excess powder coating.

You can find your model number on the warning sticker of your basketball system. This is placed on the pole or under the rim. It is also on the front page of your instruction manual and on the product box.

No, Lifetime bases are made out of a polyethylene plastic that will expand with the water when it freezes (you should allow a little room for the water to expand). If you feel antifreeze is necessary in your winter climate, use non-toxic RV antifreeze. Regular antifreeze can be fatal to animals if it should leak out of the base.

A combo is comprised of a backboard and rim. It can be attached directly to a roof, eave, or wall using an extension bracket. If you do not own a pole, the combo must be mounted to a wall, eave, or roof with a universal mounting bracket. Extension brackets and universal mounting brackets must be purchased separately and are available at most sporting goods stores, the Lifetime Store Online, or through the Lifetime Customer Care department. Combos are generally less expensive than an entire system. They give the ability to upgrade your backboard and rim on most existing Lifetime systems.

ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM International provides standards that are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe. All of Lifetimes basketball systems meet ASTM safety standards. ASTM stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM International provides standards that are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe. All of Lifetimes basketball systems meet ASTM safety standards.

EM5 stands for Elastic Modified 5 times. Lifetime adds an elastic modifier to its Acrylic backboards that gives the acrylic an elastic property. Acrylic is a very brittle material. By adding the elastic modifier, Lifetimes acrylic has been tested to be five times more break-resistant then standard acrylic.

All products left out in the sun for extended periods of time will eventually fade. However, Lifetime backboards have UV inhibitors that help prevent fading and maintain the integrity of the backboard when exposed to sunlight providing years of color.

Visit the Where to Buy page for a list of some of the major retailers who carry our products in-store. For local Utah outlet store locations, visit the Lifetime Store, and for online sales visit the Lifetime Store Online.

Plan on spending additional money on concrete and rebar (actual cost and amount varies according to model). Rebar is a steel rod used in the cementing process of in-ground systems. Wait 72 hours for the cement to dry before you can play. However, if you dont want to permanently cement your system in the ground, another alternative is to purchase a ground sleeve. A ground sleeve is a cylinder cemented into the ground for the pole to sit in. This feature makes it possible to remove your in-ground system. Simply slip the pole into the ground sleeve, and a bolt or a tab will lock it into place. To remove the pole, unlock the bolt or remove the tab and slide it out.

All steel will eventually rust over time. However, you can prevent the effects of rust with proper care. Repair rust spots or scratches by sanding the affected area lightly; using a rust-preventative spray primer; and finally, spraying with a high-gloss spray enamel paint.

Lifetime uses a powder coating process which coats a bare metal object with an electrostatically charged powder. From there, it is baked on at a high temperature. Powder coating is the most durable coloring process on the market. It is stronger than traditional paints.

No, the hardware is not faulty. Lifetime Products uses center lock nuts on its basketball systems. Center lock nuts are distorted in the middle so that the threads are no longer perfectly circular. This greatly increases the locking action of the nut but increases the amount of force required to tighten the nut.

Do not use system during windy or severe weather. System may tip over. Place system away from overhead power lines and in an area protected from the wind or away from property that may be damaged if the system falls.